Clay County adopts zoning change to ease permitting for modular homes

On May 12 the Clay County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance #2026‑02, an amendment to the 2013 Revised Zoning Ordinance aimed at distinguishing modular homes from mobile/manufactured dwellings. Zoning Administrator Noah Westergaard explained that modular homes placed on foundations often lack VIN‑style serial numbers and that the change is intended to make affordable homeownership easier by removing an unnecessary conditional use requirement.

Director of Equalization Lennea Olson told the Board that easing the permitting pathway for modular homes could improve access to traditional financing and reduce delays: "This change would help people build affordable housing that will create equity," she said. The Board advanced the amended language through public hearings and adopted the ordinance in a unanimous vote, then scheduled further implementation steps with the Planning Commission and staff.